Enhancements to mechanical robot

ABSTRACT

A mechanical robot senses smoke or CO or other indication of air quality and alarms when air quality falls below a threshold.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of allowed co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/069,405, filed Mar. 1, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mechanical robots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, there has been increased interest in computerizedrobots such as, e.g., mechanical pets, which can provide many of thesame advantages as their living, breathing counterparts. Thesemechanical pets are designed to fulfill certain functions, all of whichprovide entertainment, and also in many cases general utility, to theowner.

As an example, Sony's AIBO robot is designed to mimic many of thefunctions of a common household pet. AIBO's personality develops byinteracting with people and each AIBO grows and develops in differentway based on these interactions. AIBO's mood changes with itsenvironment, and its mood affects its behavior. The AIBO can providecertain features and entertainment to the owner through such things asexecution of certain tasks and actions based on its programming and thecommands of the user. An AIBO can perform any number of functions, e.g.,creating noise frequencies that resemble a dog's bark.

In general, a mechanical “robot” as used herein and to which the presentinvention is directed includes movable mechanical structures such as theAIBO or Sony's QRIO robot that contain a computer processor, which inturn controls electro-mechanical mechanisms such as wheel drive unitsand “servos” that are connected to the processor. These mechanisms forcethe mechanism to perform certain ambulatory actions (such as arm or legmovement).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mechanical robot includes a body, a processor mounted on the body, andone or more electro-mechanical mechanisms controlled by the processor tocause the body to ambulate. A sensor such as a sound sensor (e.g., amicrophone) and/or a motion sensor (e.g., a camera) is electricallyconnected to the processor, and the processor compares a sensed soundand/or image from the sensor with predetermined criteria to selectivelygenerate an intruder alert in response. In this regard, the robot canuse adaptive learning algorithms to learn from past decisions, e.g., auser can speak approvingly of “correct” intruder alert response anddisapprovingly of incorrect intruder response and the robot, using,e.g., voice recognition software or tone sensors, can then correlate theaction to whether it is “correct” or not using the user's input, whichmay also be made using a keyboard or keypad entry device on the robot.Sony' U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,469 discusses further adaptive learningprinciples.

In some non-limiting implementations the processor compares an imagefrom the camera with data stored in the processor to determine whether amatch is established. The intruder alert may be generated if a match isnot established, i.e., if a sensed person is a stranger, or the intruderalert may be generated if a match is established if, for instance, thesensed person is correlated to a known “bad person”. If desired, in thelatter case the robot can include a wireless communication module andautomatically contact “911” or other emergency response usingconventional telephony or VOIP. The robot can also execute a non-lethalresponse such as emitting a shrill sound to alert nearby people.

In another aspect, a mechanical robot includes a body, a processormounted on the body, and one or more electro-mechanical mechanismscontrolled by the processor to cause the body to ambulate. Means on therobot sense a visible and/or aural disturbance and generate a signal inresponse. Also, means are on the robot for comparing a sensed soundand/or image represented by the signal with predetermined criteria, withmeans being provided on the robot for selectively generating an intruderalert in response to the means for comparing.

In still another aspect, a mechanical robot includes a body, a processormounted on the body, and one or more electro-mechanical mechanismscontrolled by the processor to cause the body to ambulate. A sensor suchas a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone) and/or a motion sensor, which canbe a multi-directional camera that can be preprogrammed based on userpreferences and that can be accessed using a wireless module on therobot, is electrically connected to the processor. The processorcompares a sensed sound and/or image from the sensor with predeterminedcriteria to selectively play music in response.

In another embodiment, a mechanical robot includes a body, a processormounted on the body, and one or more electro-mechanical mechanismscontrolled by the processor to cause the body to ambulate. An airbornesensor is on the body and outputs signals representative of air content.A spectral analysis device receives signals from the airborne sensor andoutputs an analysis signal representative thereof. An alarm is providedon the body for selectively alarming based on the analysis signal.

The sensor may be a CO sensor, a CO2 sensor, a smoke sensor, or acombination thereof. The spectral analysis device can be implemented bythe processor or as part of the sensor.

In another aspect of this latter embodiment, a mechanical robot includesa body, a processor mounted on the body, and one or moreelectro-mechanical mechanisms controlled by the processor to cause thebody to ambulate. Means are on the robot for sensing airborne material,and means are on the robot for selectively alarming in response to themeans for sensing.

In still another aspect of this latter embodiment, a method for alertinga person to hazardous air quality includes providing a mechanical robotand causing the robot to ambulate. The method also includes causing therobot to sense at least one indicia of air quality, and causing therobot to alarm if the indicia exceeds a threshold.

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure andoperation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-limiting robot, schematicallyshowing certain components;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the overall logic;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the alert logic; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of airborne alarm logic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a mechanical, preferably battery-drivenrobot 2 is shown that may be embodied in a non-limiting implementationby a Sony AIBO-type or QRIO-type device, with the enhancements hereinprovided. The robot 2 has an airborne sensor 3 preferably located nearthe “nose” of the robot. The sensor 3 is an air sensor, and can includeone or more of a smoke sensor, CO sensor, CO2 sensor, etc.

The robot 2 also has multiple servos 4 operating and moving extremitiesof a robot body 5. These servos are connected to a computer processor 6that controls the servos using electro-magnetic signals in accordancewith principles known in the art. Additionally, as set forth furtherbelow, the processor 6 may have other functions, including facerecognition using face recognition principles known in other contexts.The processor 6 may include or be operably engaged with a spectralanalysis device 7 that receives signals from the airborne sensor 3 forpurposes to be shortly disclosed. Alternatively, the spectral analysisdevice 7 may be implemented with the sensor 3.

In some non-limiting implementations an external beacon receiver 8 suchas a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver is mounted on the robot2 as shown and is electrically connected to the processor 6. Otherbeacon receivers such as rf identification beacon receivers can also beused. Using information from the receiver 8, the processor 6 candetermine its localization.

FIG. 1 also shows that a camera (such as a video camera) 10 is mountedon the robot 2. The camera 10 is electrically connected to the processor6. The camera is a non-limiting example of a motion sensor. Other motionsensors such as passive infrared (PIR) sensors can be used.

As set forth further below, the camera 10 can be used as the robot'sprimary mode of sight. As also set forth below, as the robot 2 “roams”the camera 10 can take pictures of people in its environment and theprocessor 6 can determine face recognition based on the images acquiredthrough the camera 10. A microphone 11 may also be provided on the robot2 and can communicate with the processor 6 for sensing, e.g., voicecommands and other sounds.

Additionally, the robot 2 may be provided with the ability to delivermessages from one person/user to another through an electric deliverydevice, generally designated 12, that is mounted on the robot 2 and thatis electrically connected to the processor 6. This device can be, but isnot limited to, a small television screen and/or a speaker which woulddeliver the optical and/or verbal message.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a general logic diagram outlining the“Artificial Intelligence” process for a robot, such as AIBO, is shown.If desired, the logic may be performed in response to an owner's voiceor other command, such as “start security robot”.

Commencing at block 13, the robot detects a new sound (by means of themicrophone 11) or motion (by means of the camera 10 or other motionsensor) in its environment. Disturbance detection can be performed bythe robot by means known in the art, e.g., by simply detecting motionwhen a PIR or video camera is used. Further examples of disturbances arethe sound of an alarm clock or a new person entering the robot's sensorrange. Moving to block 14, the robot records data from the objectcreating the new disturbance. At block 16, the robot's processor 6 hasthe option of performing certain pre-set actions based on the newdisturbance(s) it has detected as set forth further below.

In FIG. 3, a diagram is presented outlining the logic of the computerprocessor 6 on performing such pre-set actions. The processor's actionsbegin at block 18, where it receives collected data on the disturbance.It then compares this new data to stored data in the computer's database(called a library) at block 20. From there, decision diamond 22 denotesa choice on whether the disturbance requires activation of an alarm. Forexample, some disturbances such as routine clock chiming and images offamily faces and/or voices can be programmed into the robot by a user,or (e.g., in the case of an owner's face that is routinely imaged) canbe entered by the robot based on repetition, or may be expected basedother circumstances. An alarm clock that chimes to denote the beginningof a new hour would be an example of an expected disturbance, while anew person entering the habitat may be considered unexpected.

In the latter regard, the robot can access face and/or voice recognitioninformation and algorithms stored internally in the robot to compare animage of a person's face (or voice recording) to data in the internaldatabase of the robot, and the robot's actions can depend on whether theface (and/or voice) is recognized. For instance, if a person is notrecognized, the robot can emit an audible and/or visual alarm signal. Oragain, if the person is recognized and the internal database indicatesthe person is a “bad” person, the alarm can be activated.

If the new data is expected or at least does not correlate to apreprogrammed “bad” disturbance, the logic proceeds to block 24, wherethe robot does not alert the user on the new disturbance. If the newdata is not expected or otherwise indicates an alarm condition, however,the logic then moves to block 26. At block 26 the robot alerts the userabout the new disturbance. A robot can perform the alert function inmany ways that may include, but are not limited to, making “barking”sounds by means of the above-mentioned speaker that mimic those made bya dog, flashing alert lights on the above-mentioned display or otherstructure, or locating and making physical contact with the user inorder to draw the user's attention.

Additionally, when an “expected” or “good” person is recognized byvirtue of voice and/or face recognition, the robot may correlate theperson to preprogrammed music or other information that the person orother user may have entered into the internal data structures of therobot as being favored by the person. Then, the information can bedisplayed on the robot, e.g., by playing the music on theabove-mentioned speaker.

Now referring to FIG. 4, the robot can be used to alarm if air qualityis poor or otherwise indicate air quality. Commencing at block 30, thesensor 3 senses one or more indicia of air quality, such as but notlimited to CO, CO2, smoke, oxygen content, etc. For more complex indiciathe signal from the sensor 3 may be sent to the spectral analysis device7 for producing a signal representative of the indicia; for simplerindicia or if the sensor 3 incorporates the analysis device 7, thesignal can be sent directly to the processor 6. In any case, moving todecision diamond 32, an appropriate logic device such as, e.g., theprocessor 6 determines whether the index has exceeded a threshold, e.g.,whether oxygen is too low or CO or CO2 or smoke particulate content istoo high. If the threshold is violated the logic moves to block 34 togenerate an indication, such as a gage indication of the particularindex being measured or more preferably an alarm such as a bark producedover the delivery device 12.

While the particular ENHANCEMENTS TO MECHANICAL ROBOT as herein shownand described in detail is fully capable of attaining theabove-described objects of the invention, it is to be understood that itis the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and isthus representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplatedby the present invention, that the scope of the present invention fullyencompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilledin the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in whichreference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more”. It isnot necessary for a device or method to address each and every problemsought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassedby the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or methodstep in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the publicregardless of whether the element, component, or method step isexplicitly recited in the claims. Absent express definitions herein,claim terms are to be given all ordinary and accustomed meanings thatare not irreconcilable with the present specification and file history.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanical robot, comprising: a body; at leastone processor mounted on the body; at least one electro-mechanicalmechanism controlled by the processor to cause the body to ambulate; anairborne sensor on the body and outputting signals representative of aircontent; a spectral analysis device receiving signals from the airbornesensor and outputting an analysis signal representative thereof; and analarm on the body for selectively alarming based on the analysis signal.2. The robot of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a CO sensor.
 3. The robotof claim 1, wherein the sensor is a CO2 sensor.
 4. The robot of claim 1,wherein the sensor is a smoke sensor.
 5. The robot of claim 1, whereinthe spectral analysis device is implemented by the processor.
 6. Therobot of claim 1, wherein the spectral analysis device is implemented inthe sensor.
 7. A mechanical robot, comprising: a body; at least oneprocessor mounted on the body; at least one electro-mechanical mechanismcontrolled by the processor to cause the body to ambulate; means on therobot for sensing airborne material; and means on the robot forselectively alarming in response to the means for sensing.
 8. The robotof claim 7, wherein the means for sensing is a CO sensor.
 9. The robotof claim 7, wherein the means for sensing is a CO2 sensor.
 10. The robotof claim 7, wherein the means for sensing is a smoke sensor.
 11. Amethod for alerting a person to hazardous air quality, comprising:providing a mechanical robot; causing the robot to ambulate; causing therobot to sense at least one indicia of air quality; and causing therobot to alarm if the indicia exceeds a threshold.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the indicia is smoke.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein the indicia is CO.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein theindicia is CO2.